Of Art and Roses (Ib Reader Insert pt.18)

"Do you bloody remember stepping over a mannequin head?"

"Fine, fine, asked and answered."

   No one in your group of three wanted to move, or even touch the mannequin head, so you ended up retreating back into the room, in front of the mirror. Your breathing hitched and you froze when you saw the mannequin head hovering in between yours and Garry's shoulders. It's eyes were directed to Garry, staring at him. You heard him let out a drowsy breath before taking a large gulp of air.

     "EEEEK!" Garry shrieked, falling back to the side. The mannequin head fell evenly back down onto the floor as Garry did. Alarmed, you backed up into the corner slightly, with Ib behind you.

     "Wh-wh-WHAT is THAT?!" Garry yelled, eyes wide. He paused a second before hastily picking himself up off of the ground. "Why you-!" It happened fast, and you had to choose whether you were going to interfere or let him have it.                                                                              You were about to start panicking from the pressure of decision, when Ib rushed out from behind you and ran to Garry's side, grabbing his coat sleeve firmly. "Garry."

 He stopped and looked over at her, then at you. "Ah, r-right . . . sorry, that was immature of me." His eyes reflected his guilt as he stared over at you in the corner. He straightened himself up and smiled once more. "Well, let's go!"

       You ran over to join them quickly as they headed towards the door. You stopped beside Garry, allowing Ib to take the lead. Seeing him loose his temper like that made you worry a little bit. Taking a risk, you shifted your arm over slightly and took his hand in yours. He looked at you in surprise at first, but then pulled the corner of his mouth into a very small smile. Honestly, you weren't sure how you meant it. It just really felt like he needed comfort at the moment.

   Upon exiting the room, you were greeted by an all too familiar hissing sound. The Lady in Red sped up towards the three of you from the first right turn. "OOOHHH NOOOO YOU DON'T." you spoke to yourself, fairly loudly, as you began to furiously speed walk down the hall, dragging Garry behind you, who was dragging Ib behind him. As you came to the next right turn, a Lady in Green began crawling towards you from the end of the hall at the last turn, to which you then rushed down the hall to your right. Basic maneuvering, you turned at the intersection between the halls. You stopped and let go of Garry's hand, letting them go ahead of you. Something had caught your eye, something brighter that stood out on the floor. Garry and Ib spun around to look at you as you ran towards the object on the floor. You excitedly picked the item up. It was a key! You turned and smiled at Ib and Garry, who instead replied with looks of worry and shock. That's when you noticed the slight movement on the wall before a Lady in Red jumped off of the wall and came towards you.

"__________!" Ib called out as you turned around and ran. Turning the corner, you were greeted by the Lady in Green, who clawed at your shin as you tried to run by.

   "M-mother-!!" you tried your best to contain yourself. You felt the blood on your shin, and you definitely felt the sting, but you made your way down the hall, only just dodging a Lady in Blue as you did.

    You saw Garry and Ib waiting for you and the end of the last hall, and you limped your way towards them. Ib gasped at the four bleeding scratch marks on your leg, and as you got closer you assured her that you were fine. You gasped and quivered when you were suddenly lifted into the air by Garry, who carried you bridal style towards the next door. "Come on!" he yelled to Ib, who ran ahead of you both.

      Ib tried the door to find it locked, but before they moved to the next known area, you yelled out, "Key!" And dropped the little gray key into Ib's hand. She rushed in and stood next to the door, ready to slam it closed, which she did once Garry had carried you in. He sat you down on the white and red couch in the middle of the room and began to calm himself down, kneeling down next to you.

 Other than the heavy breaths and sighs, there was silence. Silence.

   You turned your head to look at him and ruffled his hair. "Garry gained 5 EXP." you giggled.